Now we have more "reports" that are mentioning conference expansion. This time, it's the SEC. As I learned in this Anchor Of Gold article a Knoxville, TN radio station has come out to say that IF (I repeat... IF) the SEC was to expand, the schools they would supposedly look at are Texas, Texas A&M, Clemson, Georgia Tech, and if the Texas pair doesn't work out, Florida State, and Miami.
With these newest developments, I am given the wonderful opportunity to continue the discussion on possible conference expansion. However, the last few posts have all been about if the big 6 BCS conferences were to combine and expand into 4 Super Conferences.
But what about the possibility of keeping 6 and only moving certain teams around? What about the possibility of each conference having between 10 and 14 (at most) schools? Wait... Is that right? No. Damn the Big East with their 8 football and 16 basketball teams.
So let's revisit the situation at hand. The Big 10 has reportedly offered to Mizzou, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Rutgers. The SEC is now eyeing Texas, Texas A&M, Clemson, and Georgia Tech. The two assumptions that you have to make are that 1) each conference would like to have an even number of teams, and 2) each conference will keep a somewhat normal geographic footprint (meaning the Pac-10 isn't going to offer Rutgers a spot). The key word is "somewhat" and I choose that word on purpose, because if you look at a map of current BCS footprints, you see that there isn't a normality to it at all. Once again... Damn you Big East!!!
Looking at that map, the SEC has 4 split states: Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. If you look at the names of possible targets of expansion, it includes 4 states: South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
If you look at the Big 10, there are 3 split states: Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Their targets include 4 states: Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and New Jersey.
I know people are saying that the motivation behind possible expansion is driven by money, and I totally agree. But there seems to also be a feel, at least with the SEC, to secure a geographic footprint of the conference. If you think in military terms, they're making the wall around their city.
I think if the SEC makes a push for Texas and Texas A&M they are doing it based solely on money. Every college sports fan knows that Texas has a following that could invade Poland, and Texas A&M fans have enough people to keep the Longhorn fans out of Poland. The size, alumni, and money from those two schools alone could totally change the landscape of college sports if they were to change conferences.
And their closest neighbor?? The wonderfully successful, storied, and also wealthy, Southeastern Conference.
So geographically, the SEC makes the best fit for a possible change for the Texas pair. But do they fit with the SEC? I don't think so.
Since this is a blog by a fan and I don't have to follow the rules, I won't. I'm an SEC person through and through. And there is something different that the SEC has that nobody else seems to have. It goes all the way back to the civil war and slavery, and plantations, and the settling of the United States of America. There is more pride in the south than any other region of the USA. Can you tell me another REGION that has a flag? If you see a red flag, blue stripes, and white stars you immediately associate with the south.
With that in mind, I think the SEC officials have a strong sense of pride for their already successful conference. So why would you add two schools that will totally and drastically change the dynamic? If we're not going to 16, let's get the best possible fit to keep the already successful product running like it should. The answer: Clemson and Georgia Tech.
Solidifying the states of South Carolina and Georgia as SEC states, it alienates the state of Florida from the rest of the ACC states, while maintaining the tradition, mentality, and success of the SEC. Both schools have existing rivals in the SEC, and have played other SEC teams in the past few years. This means that current SEC fans already know these new schools, and one of the most important parts of the SEC are the fans.
The SEC is sundress clad female students, standing next to their seersucker wearing male students, both complete with canned cheap beer and solo cup liquor drinks. It is massive tents and grills for each family cooking their own version of burgers, brats, ribs, or sometimes gator meat gumbo. It is showing up to the field at 9 AM with a full cooler and tailgating plans, when the game starts at 9 PM and you don't even have tickets. The SEC is having so much compassion for your team that you succeed when they succeed, you fight when they fight, and you suffer when they suffer.
Like this guy.
Wait a minute... You mean to tell me that's a Clemson fan? After a game with Georgia Tech?!?
I rest my case.
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